=^ 



MEMORIAL DAY 
ADDRESS 



By 
FRANKLIN G. FESSENDEN 

ONE OF THE JUSTICES OF THE SUPERIOR COURT OF 
MASSACHUSETTS 



BEFORE 

EDWIN E. DAY POST, G. A. R. 
GREENFIELD, MASS., MAY 31, 1915 



— studium reipublicce omnia superet 

— memoriam prceclaram reliqvire 




PUBLISHED BY EDWIN E. DAY POST, G. A. R. 
GREENFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 

1915 



MEMOEIAL DAY 
ADDRESS 



By 
FRANKLIN G. FESSENDEN 

ONE OF THE JUSTICES OF THE SUPERIOR COURT OF 
MASSACHUSETTS 



BEFORE 

EDWIN E. DAY POST, G. A. R. 
GREENFIELD, MASS., MAY 31, 1915 



studium reipublicoe omnia superet 
memoriam prceclaram reliquere 



PUBLISHED BY EDWIN E. DAY POST, G. A. R. 
GREENFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 

1915 






i-'K. 









Memorial Address 



We are come together to-day to pay our tribute to those who pre- 
served for us the integrity of our country. To them we owe what- 
ever measure of prosperity we enjoy and the advantage we have 
in the most beneficent form of government the world has seen. 
It is no perfunctory ceremony. It is rather the sincere expression 
of our appreciation of what they did and of our profound gratitude 
for what they have left us. We are in the full enjoyment of priv- 
ileges so highly prized by mankind that citizens of foreign nations 
have come to us in very large numbers to share with us what they 
could not have in the lands of their birth. They equally with us 
have prospered. It is then to them as well as to ourselves that we 
should point out why and how these inestimable privileges and 
opportunities were preserved. However it may be hereafter, noth- 
ing worth having in any nation has yet been obtained without the 
inevitable struggle which has come to all forms of government in 
all times. So let us mind the lesson and let us also make it plain 
to the young and to our adopted fellow citizens that they too may 
understand and appreciate its priceless value. 

The struggle was long and severe. The price paid in blood and 
treasure immense. Yet is the gain worth vastly more than the 
price. With profound appreciation of what they did we place 
these tokens of our love on the graves of those who are gone. We 
express our gratitude to those now living who participated in the 
war of 1861. We show our recognition of their enormous sufferings 
and sacrifices. And we cherish to-day also the memories of those 
who, unable to take part in battle, bore their griefs with patient 
fortitude. Resigned, uncomplaining, they have taken a warm 
place in the hearts of those who appreciate patriotic sacrifice. 
That individual instances were inexpressibly sad is shown by 
the well remembered letter from President Lincoln to Mrs. Bixby, 
an afflicted widow who had lost five sons in the war. Those who 
remember the war know that this was but a single instance 
among thousands. 

That we may properly pay the respect due to the memories of 
those who have placed us under such deep and lasting obligation, 
we should examine some at least of the contests which were so 



2 MEMORIAL ADDRESS 

victoriously waged. They are fifty years behind us, yet the re- 
cital of them never fails to bring them fresh in our minds. 

When we met here two years ago we considered very briefly the 
battle of Chancellorsville and more especially the feelings of the 
North and South with reference to the result. The result was not 
so disastrous as is so often stated. Chancellorsville was not a 
defeat for the army. It was at the most a repulse. 

Perhaps it was all for the best. The army had found itself. 
It had acquired and was inspired by a feeling of confidence in its 
ability and capacity. It is this spirit which we must appreciate 
fully before we can understand the later movements and achieve- 
ments of the Army of the Potomac. This inspiration was born of 
the experience of the men in battle and in their corps and lesser 
commanders, whose names are in our minds to-day. 

After Chancellorsville there was a pause in hostilities between 
the two armies. Resuming their positions on opposite sides of the 
Rappahannock they availed themselves of the opportunity for 
rest and reorganization which both needed, the southern army 
much more than the northern. Hooker prepared his 115,000 for 
the struggle to come. Lee who received large additions to his 
army effected a complete reorganization, dividing it into three 
corps commanded by Longstreet, A. P. Hill and Ewell. It was 
placed in better condition than at any time since the beginning of 
the war. It numbered over 76,000. It is important to have in 
mind when speaking of the numbers of the armies, the way in 
which the numbers are made up. The United States counted all 
connected with the army and drawing pay, although many of them 
did not participate in the engagement. The Confederate States 
counted only "bayonets" as they were called, i. e., only those 
actually bearing arms in battle. The actual difference if the 
troops had been counted in the same way by both sides would be 
far less in number than it appeared. 

Lee was in sore need of clothing and supplies. The Confederacy 
was not able to furnish anything approaching an adequate supply. 
The southern finances were utterly bad. Their currency was 
hardly worth the paper on which it was printed. Better foreign 
credit was felt to be imperative. There was the situation at 
Vicksburg daily becoming more hopeless. Anxious and prolonged 
conferences were had by the officials and commanders. What 
course should be pursued? Should they undertake another inva- 
sion of the north across the Potomac? The army had been greatly 



FRANKLIN G. FESSENDEN 3 

strengthened in numbers. Its spirit was high. The officers felt 
that the men could absolutely be depended upon. Clothing and 
supplies not to be obtained at home could be had in plenty in 
Pennsylvania. Washington and other cities would be threatened. 
A successful invasion would greatly harm the North and help the 
South in Europe. It was felt to be certain that some at least of 
the Federal army at Vicksburg would be recalled to assist the 
union forces in the East and thus that indispensable place would 
be relieved. 

Lee began his Gettysburg campaign — a campaign let us say full 
of mistakes. 

Hooker with the task imposed upon him by the authorities to 
keep in touch with Lee and at the same time to cover Washington 
from possible danger, was held in such constraint that he could 
not do as he desired. So he asked to be relieved from his com- 
mand. Meade was appointed to succeed him. This was the fifth 
commander of the Union army in the east appointed in ten 
months. 

Meade and Lee realized that a great battle was imminent. 
Each desired to fight on the defensive. Meade by quick move- 
ments of his corps forced Lee to attack. 

The first contest was between a part of Lee's forces which had 
gone toward Gettysburg in the hope that they might procure 
much needed shoes. It was between a body of the confederates 
and a much smaller number of Federals. The latter while delaying 
the enemy's advance was forced inevitably to fall back. They 
retired to Cemetery Hill, where the various corps of the United 
States army joined them. This is not the occasion to recall the 
controversy as to who was the one who selected this spot. It was 
fixed upon and the several corps commanders approved the choice, 
which the result of the battle abundantly justified. 

It was for Lee to decide whether he would give battle by a direct 
advance or whether he would attempt by a flank movement urged 
with great force by Longstreet, to get between Meade and Wash- 
ington. Longstreet's advice was not accepted. A frontal attack 
was decided upon, and the great battle was fought. Three days of 
sanguinary conflict left Meade master of the field. The Confederate 
army was compelled to retreat. The hopes of those who had 
favored the invasion were shattered. It will serve no useful pur- 
pose here to-day to discuss the much debated question whether 
Meade by counter attack could have destroyed Lee's army. The 
Confederate army was hopelessly repulsed, never again to invade 



4 MEMORIAL ADDRESS 

the north. The abortive raid by Early in the next year only served 
to show the futility of another attempt. 

It would be a pleasure and a source of pride to consider some- 
what in detail the deeds of valor which were performed on both 
sides in that battle — the individual acts of heroism, the remem- 
brance of which causes both North and South to be most justly 
proud. You who had the rare fortune to participate and you who 
love to dwell on the achievments of these men who then showed 
themselves to be such courageous and mighty opponents^ — you I 
say have them in your minds to-day. The effect on the Army of the 
Potomac was electrifying. Fully conscious of its strength and 
skill from the fourth day of July, 1863, there was no doubt of its 
abundant ability to meet the adversary with every expectation of 
favorable result. 

The •southern army from this day on fought on the defensive. 
In the North a wave of enthusiasm swept over the United States 
when the news of Gettysburg and Vicksburg came. Many thought 
that the war would terminate speedily. While there were nearly 
two years more of fierce warfare, yet there were no misgivings as 
to what the end would be. 

We remember that two years ago when noting the general situa- 
tion, we found that Grant after a long series of efforts had suc- 
ceeded in establishing himself upon the eastern bank of the Missis- 
sippi River — that he had kept separate Pemberton's and Johns- 
ton's forces. The problem of the capture of Vicksburg had been 
attacked with vigor by Grant. In sixteen days he had marched 
over two hundred miles and had been victorious in eight battles, 
and had captured a large number of prisoners. His hopes were not 
disappointed. He beseiged the city until July 4, 1863, when the 
place and army of nearly 32,000 were surrendered, together with a 
large amount of cannon and military supplies. In addition there 
had been many desertions by men who gave up finally all hope for 
the South. 

As the inevitable consequence of this victory of Grant, Port 
Hudson yielded and the Mississippi River from that time remained 
in the possession and control of the union and never afterward was 
regained by the southern forces even for a short time. The con- 
federacy was split in twain. That part to the west thereafter 
gave no especial trouble. This victorious campaign of Grant has 
been the admiration of students of warfare. 

In the fall after Vicksburg there came to Grant the task of 
rescuing General Rosecrans from the trap, as it was called, into 



FRANKLIN G. FESSENDEN 5 

which it was said he had got in Chattanooga. During the summer 
and early fall of 1863 he had by well planned and skilfully executed 
marches compelled General Bragg who commanded the con- 
federacy in the west to fall back to that place. This point was 
necessary to the confederates on account of the railroad communi- 
cations. It was most important to the interior line always so 
advantageous and coveted in warfare. It was a centre and the 
controlling position with reference to any movements against the 
northeasterly portion of Alabama and the northwesterly part of 
Georgia, as well as more than half of Tennessee. Possession of it 
meant ease of access to the westerly part of Virginia if held by the 
southern forces, impossibility of such access if held by the North. 
The armies of Rosecrans and Bragg came together in the battle of 
Chicamauga. The result was in Bragg's favor. Rosecrans' army 
was not captured. It moved into Chattanooga after the battle. 
And strange to say the forces which had taken possession of the 
coveted spot were unable to make use of it. From being the 
aggressors they were put on the defensive. They were closely 
confined and besieged in the position which had been deemed of 
such importance. With pride we recall the prowess of the great 
General George H. Thomas, who won that day the title of "The 
Rock of Chicamauga." 

Thus the hoped for advantage became a disadvantage. The 
situation was precarious. But the troops held true in spirit . They 
would not consider surrender. Grant was placed in command in 
the west. With prompt decision he set out for Chattanooga by the 
only way left open over the mountains back of the Tennessee 
River. Quickly he set to work to open ways so that supplies could 
be brought to the besieged, and soon he had plenty for their needs. 
Here again is an instance of the spirit of the soldiers of the union. 
W^est or East it was the same. When checked they sought the 
opportunity to retrieve their fortunes. They felt themselves un- 
conquered and unconquerable. Changes were made in the organi- 
zation. Additional troops from the east and from the west were 
added and preparations pushed for a final contest with the opposing 
army. Sherman came from Vicksburg, Hooker from Virginia, each 
bringing forces full of courage and determination. Grant, with 
Sherman on the left, Thomas in the centre and Hooker on the 
right, ordered an attack. Hooker stormed and captured the high 
Lookout Mountain in the "battle above the clouds." Sherman 
advanced and engaged but did not defeat his adversary. Then was 
given the order for the advance of the centre. These men, who 



6 MEMORIAL ADDRESS 

had been engaged in the battle of Chicamauga, eager to avenge 
that day, charged up Missionary Ridge, captured the trenches even 
to the top of the mountains and drove back and completely routed 
the opposing army. The confederates finally retired twenty miles. 
The victory was complete. The advantages gained were enormous. 
Not only was Chattanooga saved but from that time it remained to 
the end of the war in the control of the victors. The loss to the 
confederates was irreparable. Now no rapid reinforcement from 
the east or the west could be made over that line. The con- 
federacy was again split in twain and all that now remained for 
the union armies to gain was the territory east of the Appalachian 
Mountains to Lee's army in Virginia. Knoxville was relieved. 
Loyal East Tennessee was permanently freed from attack and 
occupation by the southern troops. Thus President Lincoln's 
dream became a reality. 

After Chattanooga there was a comparative quiet in the 
respective armies. In the spring of 1864 Grant was placed at the 
head of all the United States forces east and west with the title 
Lieutenant General. 

Hitherto there had been no general plan which should include all 
the operations of the armies east and west. The Confederates had 
taken advantage of this. Now with a real, not a nominal com- 
mander in chief, plans of campaign could be made which would 
include all the armies of the United States, and thus keep the 
adversaries from shifting troops from an unnoccupied to an occu- 
pied force. This step was a hard blow to the confederates, and 
from the beginning of the operations after Grant assumed chief 
command their cause gradually sank to complete disaster and 
failure. The armies were now all ready for the accomplishment 
of a single object. This included in itself the several objects sought 
by the different officers commanding separate armies. They 
severally worked to destroy the armies which they confronted, but 
the whole worked harmoniously until the southern armies were 
overcome and the Confederate States of America ceased to exist. 

Grant's plan was this. Meade commanding the Army of the 
Potomac was to move against Lee's army. Butler was to go up the 
James River and threaten Richmond. Siegel to march out and 
destroy the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad. Sherman to proceed 
from Chattanooga southerly against Johnston. Other minor 
movements need not be mentioned here. Movements were to be 
as nearly simultaneous as practicable so that there could be no 
renewal by the Confederates of their former way of reinforcing 



FRANKLIN G. FESSENDEN 7 

each other. Each of their armies was to be kept engaged. The 
campaigns were separated by long distances. But the end sought 
was to be the result of the united efforts of all. And so on May 4, 
1864, the general movement was begun. Meade who commanded 
the Army of the Potomac, but who like all the other army com- 
manders was under the direction of Grant, moved from Culpeper 
across the Rapidan and marched against Lee. On May 5, Sherman 
started on his famous campaign against Johnston. It was con- 
fidently hoped that a victorious result would be had within a 
comparatively short time. The North was to be disappointed in 
the length of time, but not in the final victory, which was the 
culmination of the grand plan. 

In Virginia the advantage in position was decidedly in fa\'or of 
the Confederates. They were on the defensive. They knew the 
country, its roads, trails, ways, its topography. The union forces 
knew nothing of it. In fact at one time General Grant came very 
near riding into the confederate lines. The confederates could 
instantly decide how and where to go. The federals had to feel 
their way. Thus the advantage in numbers was well-nigh neu- 
tralized by the disadvantage of entire ignorance of the country. 

The United States forces crossed the river safely. It was hoped 
that the dense wilderness from which the first battle takes its name 
would be traversed and that the engagement would take place in 
open country. But Lee was too watchful to give up the advantages 
which he had, and moved on the flank o^ Grant's army. So the 
contest took place in the thick woods filled with underbrush which 
prevented any intelligent, coherent, well sustained movement of 
troops. Wlien it is understood that so close were the thickets and 
small growth trees the limit of sight was sometimes fifty feet and 
generally one hundred and fifty, one can appreciate the confusion 
and impossibility of recovering formations of brigade or of smaller 
units. Officers could not see their men. Regiments were lost from 
the sight of their officers. Yet the struggle was carried on with 
wonderful valor for two days. The losses were severe. Grant 
afterwards said that more desperate fighting had never been seen 
on this continent than that of those two days. No decisive result 
was gained by either side. But a change had come since the former 
battles in Virginia. When a severe struggle had been had the 
armies had retired to recuperate and reorganize. At the end of this 
battle the command to the United States army was "Forward." 
When the soldiers heard this they obeyed with tumultuous cheers. 
They felt that the time had come at last when their qualities were 



8 MEMORIAL ADDRESS 

become known, and they marched onward with enthusiasm. From 
this day there was no retrograde. It was advance from one posi- 
tion to another until the climax in 1865. We can hardly realize the 
stimulating effect of this change. No longer could it be said that 
one southener was equal to three or five northeners. On the part 
of the confederates the old confidence of victory was disappearing, 
and in its place there was a grim determination to resist to the 
end and to delay the end as long as possible. And so with perfect 
confidence the Army of the Potomac pushed on toward Spottsyl- 
vania, a strategic point of great importance. Lee, as soon as he 
realized the purpose of his opponent, appreciated the necessity of 
gaining this position before Grant could reach it. He arrived there 
first, immediately posted his army and intrenched most carefully. 
Grant attacked. The story of the victory at the apex of the con- 
federate lines with the capture of generals and thousands of troops 
and the struggle at the "Bloody Angle" will never be forgotten by 
those brave men who participated, nor by those who although not 
in the contest were cheered by the triumph. It will be read with 
feelings of intense pride by the descendants of the contestants. 
North and South. For the deeds of that day were heroic. 

Still the confederates continued their magnificent resistance. 
Advance was again ordered by Grant. The response of his army 
was again quick and enthusiastic. For it was always forward, 
never backward. Marching and battling they reached Cold 
Harbor. liCe again had intrenched behind strong earthworks and 
blocked their progress. He now used his energies to protect Rich- 
mond from capture. This city was but a short distance away. 
He was only three miles from the earthworks of the confederate 
capital. The sound of the battle could be heard in that city. At 
Cold Harbor a most desperate attempt was made to destroy Lee's 
army. It was not successful. It was plain to Grant that no fur- 
ther attacks could be made against Lee in his strongly intrenched 
position without greatly disproportionate sacrifices. Therefore he 
decided to transfer his army to the James River. From there he 
could see a way to bring about the capture or destruction of the 
opposing army and the taking of Richmond. But such a movement 
of troops as this involved was difficult and extremely hazardous 
under any circumstances, especially so when the adversary was 
the able, skilful and ever-ready Lee. If there were time to-day it 
would be profitable for us all to go over the marvellous methods so 
wonderfully devised and executed in the front of the adversary 
only a few hundred yards away. A great army was moved more 



FRANKLIN G. FESSENDEN 9 

than fifty miles over and across a bridge, the greatest the world had 
seen since the bridge of Xerxes. This bridge was especially con- 
structed for the passage of the army. And this was done without 
Lee's having the slightest suspicion. For three days he was in 
entire ignorance concerning it. When first reported to him he re- 
fused to believe it. It was impossible: but it had been accom- 
plished. It resulted in the Union army being finally established on 
the river and in good condition. The confederates were much 
shattered and depleted. They could not survive much further 
loss. 

As we have seen. Grant's plan required Sherman to break up 
Johnston's army. In addition he was to inflict all the damage he 
could on the war resources of the South. Atlanta, about ninety 
miles south from Dalton, was the base which supplied Johnston, 
and it contained many factories and places where war munitions 
were made and stored. Therefore Sherman's course was plain — to 
defeat his adversary and destroy war supplies and factories at 
Atlanta. 

Sherman promptly started on his famous Atlanta campaign, 
which began May 5 and ended September 1, 1864, when Atlanta 
was abandoned by the confederates. This campaign will always 
be studied by military students and writers of war history. It 
presents a fruitful field. A bold and able commander on the 
aggressive, a skilful and capable commander on the defensive. 
Moves, countermoves, followed in quick succession. Sherman 
advancing, Johnston retreating gradually. Great genius was 
shown by both. Each was ready to take advantage of any error 
by the other, and each was careful not to make such mistake. 
Johnston delayed although he could not stop Sherman, so that 
the latter went forward at the average rate of only a mile a day. 
At the same time he preserved his army practically intact until 
they had arrived in the vicinity of Atlanta. He might well be 
proud of this most difficult feat. It won for him the respect and 
admiration of Sherman who did not hesitate to give him credit for 
what he did. But the confederate government was not satisfied, 
Johnston was removed and Hood was appointed to succeed him. 
Immediately there was a change in the tactics of the southern 
army. Hood attacked Sherman, but was repulsed with severe 
loss. Atlanta was taken, the factories and supplies destroyed, and 
another rent made in the fabric of the Confederate States of 
America. Then ensued a series of movements — first one and then 
the other threatened. Sherman became restive and decided upon 



10 MEMORIAL ADDRESS 

the spectacular march to the sea, a march made without much 
risk since there was no force worthy of the name to oppose him. 
He reached Savannah, took it with a large amount of cotton and 
supplies, and sent a despatch to the happy President of the United 
States, saying that he made him a Christmas present of the place 
and captured stores. Thus what was left of the confederacy was 
rent in twain. The greater part was cut off from effective com- 
munication with the struggling army in Virginia. 

After the Army of the Potomac had become established around 
Petersburg and Richmond, it was soon learned that the impregna- 
ble fortifications constructed with care and skill could not be car- 
ried without enormous loss of life. What had been a campaign of 
battles became the work of investment. It was necessary to cut 
off the means of supply from the army in and about the two cities. 
Gradually the lines of the union army were extended to its left. 
Serious engagements were had, and the losses were severe. Grant's 
qualities of watchful persistence and courage were never more 
sorely tried than during this time. But he did not know what it 
was to fail. So he moved carefully and surely and stretched out 
his lines until Lee, obliged to meet the ever extending army, was 
placed in such position that his own lines were weak in spots. He 
did not have the troops to man them. This was what Grant had 
hoped and anticipated. The news from Sherman stimulated the 
northern army, and its effect was depressing upon Lee's men. 
There were now no great battles between Grant and Lee. Grant's 
movements were continuous and aimed at cutting off the railroads 
by which Lee's forces and Richmond and Petersburg were fed and 
supplied. The winter came on with every chance favoring Grant, 
whose only fear now was lest Lee should slip away and unite with 
Johnston in command of some forces further south. Such an event 
which might prolong the war he was determined to prevent. And 
he reasoned rightly that the resistance would come to an end in the 
spring, for desertions from Lee's army showed plainly that the 
confederates were becoming demoralized. Early's attempt to 
reach Washington in the fall had proved so disastrous that no 
renewal of such a venture was possible. So although active opera- 
tions were suspended for the winter. Grant was alert and ready to 
move upon the slightest sign of an endeavor on the part of Lee to 
take such a step. His efforts henceforward were to confine Lee 
in Richmond and Petersburg. The confederates sent peace 
commissioners to interview the government authorities. The 
conference came to nothing, for Lincoln, determined from the 



FRANKLIN G. FESSENDEN 11 

beginning to preserve the union intact, would listen to nothing 
which involved any separation from the United States. But it 
was an unmistakable sign that they saw the inevitable approach- 
ing. So both sides waited, one with confidence, the other with 
despair, the resumption of hostilities in the spring. 

When Sherman, satisfied that he could not bring on a battle with 
Hood, left Atlanta for Savannah, he left troops under Thomas to 
operate against that general. He hoped that Hood would follow 
him in his march to the sea. But that commander thought 
he had an opportunity to deal a harsh blow to the north. 
Thomas was placed in command of the United States army 
in the west. The different parts of his command were scattered, 
and long distances separated parts of them. Hood planned to 
attack some of these forces in detail before they could be united. 
The consequences of a successful movement on his part would 
have been serious. If he had carried his plans out he could 
not have been checked before he had done immense harm. 
The well conceived plans of Grant would have been thwarted, at 
least for some time. It would have been necessary to reinforce and 
reorganize the United States forces in the west and the ground 
would again have to be fought over. 

Hood moved against General Schofield, one of Thomas's subor- 
dinates, and barely missed achieving what he sought. The union 
forces fell back toward Nashville. Hood was close upon them. At 
one time victory seemed to be within his grasp. But Schofield 
after the engagements at Columbia and Spring Hill, by untiring 
effort was able to get to Franklin before Hood could attack with 
his main army. Here a desperate battle was fought. In no contest 
during the war was there more bravery shown by either North or 
South. The attack was repulsed, and Hood was compelled to see 
his adversary withdraw to Nashville in safety with what was left 
of his little army. Schofield had fought against great odds, and 
had achieved a success which justly gave him fame. Hood followed 
with his troops. Thomas got together the different portions of his 
forces and in addition armed the loyal civilians in Nashville. 
With exceeding care he prepared his army, made a most through 
plan and executed it. He attacked Hood and gained a decisive 
victory. Hood's army was practically destroyed. It was one of 
the most complete successes of. the whole war. There remained 
only remnants of Hood's army. Its confidence was gone. In- 
stead of his hoped for success he had only dismal failure. There 
was no longer any substantial army of the South in this part of the 



12 MEMORIAL ADDRESS 

country. The end had come here. Nothing more could be done, 
and the flag of the United States was never disturbed seriously in 
the west after the great battle of Nashville. Thomas had been 
true to his fame. He had ruined the last hope of the Confederacy 
in the west. There remained to the Confederacy only the small 
eastern portion of its former vast extent of territory. Well might 
the North be supremely confident. 

In the early part of the winter of 1864-1865, the situation in 
general was this: The western armies of the Confederates had 
practically been destroyed. While there were some small scattered 
bodies no considerable force remained. Thomas's troops could 
easily care for them. It was plain that the struggles of importance 
must be in the states of South Carolina, North Carolina and 
Virginia. Sherman was at Savannah ready to march north and 
join Grant. Although Johnston through the efforts of Lee, who 
recognized his abilities, was placed in command of the remnants 
of Hood's army and some other forces hastily gathered, he had no 
army fit to dispute Sherman's advance when it should begin. 
Grant held Lee with a tight grip. 

There was one spot on the coast which had given the LTnited 
States much trouble during the war. It had been the guardian of 
the way by which imperatively needed military supplies coming 
from foreign countries had been brought to the southern armies. 
Fort Fisher on the sea coast guarded that way. It was a powerful 
fortification. Until this was reduced Lee would be given renewed 
supplies. A fruitless attempt to capture the fort had been made 
in December, 1864. In the following January another expedition 
was sent out against it. This last undertaking was crowned with 
success. In it a former member of this Post, a Greenfield young 
man, the late George T. Davis, a naval officer, rendered distin- 
guished services. 

Immediately after Fort Fisher fell Sherman set out on his 
march up through the Carolinas. His purpose was to join Grant 
and also to destroy thoroughly all military supplies and factories 
in which they were manufactured. He had done a great amount of 
this work after leaving Chattanooga. He continued it during this 
march north. The South was now^ in dire straits. He brushed aside 
all opposition and when Schofield who had come east from Nash- 
ville united with him, he was ready with an overwhelming army to 
overcome the comparatively small army under Johnston. The 
end was close at hand. It is impossible to describe the spirit of 



FRANKLIN G. FESSENDEN 13 

the army as it moved on surely and inexorably to the final day. 

When the winter had passed sufficiently to permit operations, 
Grant was ready for what he felt was to be the last campaign of 
the war. Richmond and Petersburg were now surrounded except 
on the west. All communications were cut off save by the Danville 
and the Southside Railroads and the highways. The defences 
around Richmond and Petersburg were the strongest which had 
confronted the union troops. Direct assaults involved such great 
sacrifices of life that they could not be thought of. So portions of 
the army were again pushed to the west steadily. Lee of necessity 
was compelled to contest such union movement, which threatened 
to cut him off completely from sorely needed food. Capitulation of 
the cities and surrender of his army would then be inevitable; for 
starvation and exhaustion are merciless conquerors. Grant per- 
sisted in his plan incessantly. He attacked carefully in different 
places along the intrenchments and moved to his left until in the 
latter part of March his lines reached from the northerly side of 
Richmond around that city and Petersburg and far to the west. 
Thus Grant compelled Lee to so extend his defensive lines that 
they could no longer be defended, while he was sending detach- 
ments to cope with Grant's movements to the railroads. Lee's 
line was over thirty-five miles in length. The time came, as Grant 
had predicted, when he did not have sufficient troops to man his 
works. He had reached the breaking point. The inevitable had 
come. It was a mournful day to the Confederates when President 
Davis of the Confederate States of America received word from 
Lee that Richmond and Petersburg must be abandoned. Davis 
hurried away to the south. Lee now with superb courage and 
ability attempted to save his army from surrender. Then came a 
race between the two armies, Lee trying to unite with Johnston if 
possible, if impossible then to escape through Lynchburg so as to 
reorganize and prepare for a renewal of the struggle. He made 
superhuman efforts. So effective had been Grant's operations that 
it was impossible to unite with Johnston, and the bare necessaries 
of life were shut off. The Confederate army lived on a very limited 
supply of parched corn for the last few days of the war. 

Such heroic endurance and such patriotic willingness to suffer — 
we must remember that they were true to their cause — compelled 
the admiration of the soldiers of the union army. It is one of the 
most, if not the most beautiful episode of the war, that the vic- 
torious troops shared their rations with their defeated opponents, 
and could not find it in their hearts to celebrate the victory with 



14 MEMORIAL ADDRESS 

the usual cheers and salvos of artillery. But we are anticipating 
somewhat. The last hope fled from Lee's heart when he found 
northern forces blocking his way. Behind him were others in 
eager pursuit. He yielded gravely, and with a dignity as ad- 
mirable as his generalship, he surrendered to an adversary so 
generous and high-minded, so considerate of his fallen foe that he 
and his generals acknowledged with gratitude the treatment ac- 
corded them. Sherman's help was not needed. Johnston sur- 
^/^'rendered to him. The end had come. The union was saved. The 
soldiers of the respective armies returned to their homes and re- 
sumed their peaceful pursuits. Many times the almost fraternal 
attitude of the northern and southern combatants after the sur- 
render and the considerate forbearance to exult over the defeated 
foeman, have been commended. Why should it not have been so.'' 
All sorts of reasons have been given. There is but one true reason. 
The war was waged not to punish the South nor to conquer the 
North. On the one hand it was entered upon to create a new na- 
tion, on the other to preserve the old. In the end the United 
States of America was preserved intact. The soldiers were not 
personal enemies. If the South could not be a nation by itself 
then there was no country but the United States of which it could 
dream of being part. The North earnestly desired the South to re- 
main part of the nation. Both North and South took the same 
pride in the traditions of the colonies and the United States. They 
had fought side by side. Down in the depths of their hearts there 
was pride in their nation. It was this patriotism which is the ex- 
planation of the conduct of the soldiers toward one another. It 
has been shown on every occasion when such feelings are called 
for. It was shown in the Spanish War. It is shown to-day. 
There is nothing in the history of mankind which surpasses this 
Love of Country. 

I have trespassed upon your time so long that it is impossible 
for me to speak of the glorious achievments of the United States 
navy during the war. A consideration of them must necessarily be 
deferred. But we ought not to overlook the wonderful successes 
of the brave and loyal sailors who under the lead of Farragut, 
Foote, Porter, and the other famous naval captains, destroyed the 
Confederate navy, sealed up the sea coast from Virginia to Mexico, 
and thus made effective the work of the army on the land. Theirs 
was an uninterrupted succession of brilliant victories. 

Without their aid the North could not have succeeded. The 
Union could not have been saved. 



FRANKLIN G. FESSENDEN 15 

I cannot refrain from mentioning although in sHght detail 
the story of one who exemphfied that patriotic spirit which inspired 
the Union forces. When the war broke out there was in Boston a 
young man just arrived at the age of twenty-one. He had been 
born and brought up in the high hills of Worcester County in this 
state. He was engaged in the employment of a prosperous business 
firm. Young as he was he had foreseen the coming contest. 
Animated by patriotism which was part of his teing, he by his own 
efforts and largely at his own expense, had raised a company of 
volunteers. He was made its captain by unanimous choice, and 
was given a commission accordingly. His company became part 
of the regiment (22nd Mass. Volunteers), whose colonel was 
Henry Wilson, then the famous Massachusetts senator and after- 
wards Vice-President of the United States. When the troops were 
to be mustered into the service of the United States his commission 
was recalled on account of his extreme youth, and he was made 
first lieutenant. He had been in the service only a short time when 
his military abilities were recognized by the quick eye of Colonel 
Francis C Barlow of the 61st New York Volunteers, who subse- 
quently became so renowned. Colonel Barlow procured his trans- 
fer to that regiment, and he was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel. 
Soon after when Barlow was given the command of a brigade this 
boy of twenty-two was made Colonel of the regiment. From this 
day on his progress was marked by brilliant achievments. The 
Official Records of the War contain many acknowledgments of his 
services by officers of the highest rank. He was a born soldier. 
Although he did not attend West Point, he made his mark along 
with its best known graduates. He served in the Army of the 
Potomac until the close of the war. He went through McClellan's 
Peninsular campaign; was wounded at Fair Oaks, but would not 
leave his men: served under Pope in that general's Virginia opera- 
tions in 1862; was at Fredericksburg, where severely wounded, he 
refused to leave the field, declaring that he must remain to di- 
rect his command, even though it should cost his life, and only 
yielded at last to the absolute directions of his superiors; was 
again wounded at Chancellorsville, where by a most daring move- 
ment of his troops he checked the Confederates, and saved a large 
part of the army. It is an interesting fact that a former member 
of this Post, the late Charles R. Lowell, assisted in carrying him 
from the field. While he was recovering from his wounds and 
before he was able to rejoin his command, he organized a volunteer 
brigade in Pennsylvania. As soon as permitted he again resumed 



16 MEMORIAL ADDRESS 

his duties, and went through the Wilderness, Petersburg and 
Appomattox campaigns. He rose to be a brigade commander at 
the age of twenty-three, was a brigadier general and division com- 
mander at twenty-four, and at twenty -five was temporarily in 
command of Hancock's famous 2d Corps — a Brevet Major General 
— this youth who was too young to be a captain at twenty-one. 

The records and the traditions of the veterans abound in his 
exploits. After the war he rendered distinguished service on the 
plains of the West and elsewhere. In the Spanish W ar his military 
success was worthy of him. Although at Porto Rico a Spanish 
force was prepared and ready to meet him, by the skill of his 
operations he captured that island and the defending troops with 
the loss of three men killed and forty wounded. An eminent 
military authority has commended highly his sense of strategy. 

This New England man has placed our country under great obli- 
gations. There has been no over-estimate of his services. As time 
goes on and the true story of the war is told, we shall recognize 
Massachusetts' greatest soldier in Nelson A. Miles. 

While the North was in the midst of its rejoicing over the end 
of the war and the South was considering how it should adapt 
itself to its old place in the Republic now restored, there came a 
most cruel blow. Both were stunned by the unexpected and 
wicked murder of Lincoln. It was disheartening to the people 
of the North, for they were looking forward to his guidance in 
the coming reconstruction concerning which he had given deep 
thought. But its effect on the south was well-nigh disastrous. 
The loyal people were almost inflamed by feelings of passion and 
revenge. The late secessionists resented being blamed for some- 
thing with which they were in no way connected. Fortunately 
the North soon came to realize that those responsible for the ill 
advised act were few in number and that the Southern leaders had 
no part in it. All had lost a patriotic friend. He knew and under- 
stood as no one else the people north and south. Patient, con- 
siderate, a lover of both, he had pondered over the steps to be 
taken to reunite forever the late warring nations. His death 
postponed but did not prevent the complete reunion. Both 
mourned his loss. To-day his transcendent ability and statesman- 
ship are the theme of universal tribute. His memory is kept alive 
throughout this land and indeed the world. This nation preserved 
by him is his everlasting monument. 

As we look across the oceans to the east and to the west we see 
nations engaged in the most gigantic war yet waged in this world. 



FRANKLIN G. FESSENDEN 17 

The adversaries accuse one another of barbarous, wanton, and 
cruel acts, contrary to well known rules of warfare. And it is the 
most civilized of all the countries which are involved in these 
struggles. What was the cause? Which is right.'' These questions 
continually arise. Who shall decide them.'' From each nation 
daily ascend to Heaven prayers for success. Denominations and 
faiths in the respective countries pray for the defeat of those of the 
same denominations and faiths in the ranks of their adversaries. 
They all seek divine help. Which shall be vouchsafed this assist- 
ance? Each seeks the sympathy, moral support and even the 
material aid of the United States. Shall this our country become 
involved? Individual opinions differ amongst us. But whatever 
may be the ultimate course adopted by the United States, let us 
keep in mind the motives and spirit which have guided and con- 
trolled our actions since our nation was established. They furnish 
a safe and sure guide. As we watch what is transpiring in Europe 
and Asia and seek to ascertain the real objects for which they are 
contending, let us compare them with what we have sought in the 
wars which we have carried on. W'ars waged for conquest, for 
wordly advantage, for mere material gain, may result in some 
temporary disposition of the subject of the controversy, but not in 
its permanent settlement. The questions spring up anew, and are 
fought over again and again. It is only when there is a real moral 
princ'ple involved that the armed contest brings a final disposi- 
tion. And well may we wonder why such principles cannot be 
settled without recourse to force. Force although perhaps seeming 
to do so does not decide them. They are determined by the 
thought and conscience of the peoples. We have not yet come to 
that advance in the world's progress when appeal to arms and 
recourse to war are abandoned. We earnestly hope such time will 
come, and that the civilized world will not permit slaughter of its 
citizens for material and territorial gain or even for the recognition 
of a moral right. But if war must come let it be our fixed deter- 
mination that it shall be waged only for the latter cause. 

To-day as we commemorate the deeds of the living and dead and 
pay our tribute of respect, let us remember that they fought not for 
lust of conquest or greed of trade, but for the life of our country, 
and to the end that freedom should forever be established in this 
land. ^Vhen our condition is compared with the conditions in 
foreign nations we see how fortunate we have been. Prosperity, 
liberty, and freedom have been our portion. And for these we are 
indebted to those men who in the war of 1861 went out and at such 



18 MEMORIAL ADDRESS 

enormous sacrifices saved what at first it was feared would be 
lost. So long as we are actuated by the spirit of loyalty and by the 
high motives which spurred them on, we shall make no mistake in 
our relations to foreign states, and we shall continue to be to the 
world an example of what a nation should be. The blessings of an 
enlightened freedom in a united country will be ours. Let us then 
fittingly observe and perpetuate this day. Let us keep green the 
memory of those who by their lives and deeds are an example to 
the world for all time. 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



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